The sisters had at first only received and nursed “that woman” with repugnance.
Those who have seen the bas-reliefs of Rheims will recall the inflation of the lower lip of the wise virgins as they survey the foolish virgins.
The ancient scorn of the vestals for the ambubaj? is one of the most profound instincts of feminine dignity; the sisters felt it with the double force contributed by religion.
But in a few days Fantine disarmed them.
She said all kinds of humble and gentle things, and the mother in her provoked tenderness.
One day the sisters heard her say amid her fever:
“I have been a sinner; but when I have my child beside me, it will be a sign that God has pardoned me.
While I was leading a bad life, I should not have liked to have my Cosette with me; I could not have borne her sad, astonished eyes.
It was for her sake that I did evil, and that is why God pardons me.
I shall feel the benediction of the good God when Cosette is here.
I shall gaze at her; it will do me good to see that innocent creature.
She knows nothing at all.
She is an angel, you see, my sisters.
At that age the wings have not fallen off.”
M. Madeleine went to see her twice a day, and each time she asked him:—
“Shall I see my Cosette soon?”
He answered:—
“To-morrow, perhaps.
She may arrive at any moment. I am expecting her.”
And the mother’s pale face grew radiant.
“Oh!” she said, “how happy I am going to be!”
We have just said that she did not recover her health.
On the contrary, her condition seemed to become more grave from week to week.
That handful of snow applied to her bare skin between her shoulder-blades had brought about a sudden suppression of perspiration, as a consequence of which the malady which had been smouldering within her for many years was violently developed at last.
At that time people were beginning to follow the fine Laennec’s fine suggestions in the study and treatment of chest maladies.
The doctor sounded Fantine’s chest and shook his head.
M. Madeleine said to the doctor:—
“Well?”
“Has she not a child which she desires to see?” said the doctor.
“Yes.”
“Well! Make haste and get it here!”
M. Madeleine shuddered.
Fantine inquired:—
“What did the doctor say?”
M. Madeleine forced himself to smile.
“He said that your child was to be brought speedily. That that would restore your health.”
“Oh!” she rejoined, “he is right!
But what do those Thenardiers mean by keeping my Cosette from me!
Oh! she is coming.
At last I behold happiness close beside me!”
In the meantime Thenardier did not “let go of the child,” and gave a hundred insufficient reasons for it.
Cosette was not quite well enough to take a journey in the winter. And then, there still remained some petty but pressing debts in the neighborhood, and they were collecting the bills for them, etc., etc.
“I shall send some one to fetch Cosette!” said Father Madeleine. “If necessary, I will go myself.”
He wrote the following letter to Fantine’s dictation, and made her sign it:—
“MONSIEUR THENARDIER:—
You will deliver Cosette to this person.
You will be paid for all the little things.
I have the honor to salute you with respect.
“FANTINE.”
In the meantime a serious incident occurred.